NOPR Collection:

FK506 as effective adjunct to L-dopa in reserpine-induced catalepsy in rats

Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Title: FK506 as effective adjunct to L-dopa in reserpine-induced catalepsy in rats Authors: Singh, Amanpreet; Naidu, Pattipati S; Kulkarni, Shrinivas K Abstract: Reserpine-induced catalepsy is a widely accepted animal model of Parkinson's disease. In the present study reserpine (2.5mg/kg, ip) 20 hr and alpha-mehyl- para-tyrosine (AMPT; 200 mg/kg, ip), one hour before the experiment induced significant catalepsy in rats as assessed by bar test. There was a significant increase in the time spent on the bar in bar test as compared to the control untreated rats. L-dopa (100 mg/kg, ip) and carbidopa (10 mg/kg, ip) combination, a conventional therapy was less effective in reversing reserpine- induced catalepsy. Pretreatment with FK506, a neuroprotectant (0.5-2 mg/kg, po) not only dose dependently reduced the catalepsy in reserpine-treated rats but a lower dose 1mg/kg) potentiated the motor stimulant actions of sub threshold dose of L-dopa(100 mg/k g, ip) and carbidopa (10mg/kg, ip) combination. Anticataleptic effect of FK506 was blocked dose dependently by specific D₂receptor blocker sulpiride (25-100 mg/kg, ip ). In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that FK506 has , an indirect modulatory action on the dopamine D2 receptors. FK506 being a neuroprotectant, could be used as an effective adjunet to L-dopa for the treatment of neuroleptic- induced extrapyramidal side effects. Page(s): 1264-1268

Changes in lipid peroxidation and free radical scavengers in kidney of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats

Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Changes in lipid peroxidation and free radical scavengers in kidney of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats Authors: Sawant, Bilvadaa U; Nadkarni, Ganeshsunder D; Thakare, Usha R; Joseph, Lebana J; Rajan, M G R Abstract: Kidney weight was significantly decreased in hypothyroidism (induced by Na^¹³¹I administration) and increased in hyperthyroidism (induced by thyroxine treatment) as compared to control in female Wistar rats. The tissue lipid perox idation level remained unchanged in hyperthyroid rats but significantly increased in hypothyroid rats. Superoxide dismutase was decreased in both experimental groups but more so in hyperthyroid rats. Catalase was reduced significantly in hyperthyroid rats but remained unaffected in hypothyroid rats. Tissue glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was increased while reduced glutat hione levels remained unaltered in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats. Plasma GPx activity was significantly low in both the hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats. The results suggest alterations in the oxidative stress in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rat kidneys with concomitant changes of free radical scavengers. Page(s): 1334-1337

Effect of Aegle marmelos Correa. (Bael) fruit extract on tissue antioxidants in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Effect of Aegle marmelos Correa. (Bael) fruit extract on tissue antioxidants in streptozotocin diabetic rats Authors: Kamalakkannan, N; Stanely, Mainzen Prince P Abstract: A study was undertaken to evaluate the anti -lipid peroxidative activity of an aqueous extract of A. marmelos fruits (AMFEt) in streptozotocin diabetic rats in heart and pancreas. Oral administration of AMFEt for 30 days (125 and 250 mg Kg^-¹ body weight twice daily) produced a significant decrease in the elevated levels of peroxidation products, viz.thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides in the tissues of diabetic rats. The depressed activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and lowered glutathione content in the heart and pancreas of diabetic rats were found to increase on treatment with AMFEt. AMFEt at a dose of 250 mg kg^-1 was more effective than glibenclamide (300μg kg^-l) and both reversed all the values significantly. Thus AMFEt exhibits anti-oxidative activity in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Page(s): 1285-1288

Central inhibitory effect of Moringa oleifera root extract: Possible role of neurotransmitters

Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Central inhibitory effect of Moringa oleifera root extract: Possible role of neurotransmitters Authors: Ray, Kausik; Hazra, Rimi; Guha, Debjani Abstract: Effect of chronic treatment of standardized aqueous extract of Moriga oleifera (MO) root (100,200,300,350,400,450mg/kg; po) on penicillin (PCN) induced convulsion,locomotor behaviour,brain ,serotonin(5-HT), dopamine (DA) and morepinephrine (NE) level was studied in Holtzman strain adult albino rats. The result revealed that pretreatment with MO inhibited PCN -induced, seizure and markedly reduced locomotor activity. Chronic treatment with MO significantly increased the 5-HT and decreased the DA level in cerebral cortex (CC),mid brain (MB), caudate nucleaus (CN) and cerebellum (C B), NE level was, signifi cantly decreased in CC but no appreciable change was observed in MB, CB and CN. Thus , the central inhibitory effect of MO is discussed in the light of the disturbed balance between 5-HT, DA and NE. Page(s): 1279-1284